THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
The European Commission has confirmed that the long-awaited Entry/Exit System (EES) will begin its phased rollout on 12 October 2025, launching a digital transformation of border management across 29 European countries, including Schengen-associated states.
Designed to modernise the cumbersome process of passport stamping, the EES will capture biometric data — fingerprints, facial images, along with travel document and entry/exit details — for non-EU nationals on short stays (up to 90 days within any 180-day period). By replacing manual entry logs with real-time digital records, the system aims to boost internal security, identify overstays, and curb identity fraud.
The deployment will be gradual, spanning six months from its launch, with full implementation expected by April 2026. This staged approach allows border authorities, travellers and the transport industry time to adapt to the new procedures.
Preparedness varies across member states. For example, Switzerland plans to implement the system initially at the airports of Geneva, Zurich and Basel. Ireland and Cyprus remain exceptions—they will continue traditional passport stamping.
What Travellers Can Expect
Upon first entry, travellers will have to submit their biometric data — facial scans and fingerprints (excluding children under 12, who are exempt from fingerprints) — before crossing the border. On subsequent visits, a simpler verification of stored data will suffice, though moderate delays at some points of entry—like congested airports or ferry terminals—are anticipated.
Critically, the EES will not store broader personal or behavioral information—data collection is limited to essential biometric and travel details, governed by strict EU data protection rules. Retention periods are capped, often around three years, ensuring compliance with privacy standards.
While the EES promises smoother and more secure border crossings in the long term, travellers are urged to arrive earlier as usual at the airport because of the expected longer waiting times during the rollout.
Vivian Asamoah
